"While jet fuel prices have seen spikes before, we are concerned about what appears to be a sustained price plateau, higher than we have experienced since our launch," Mr Godfrey said.

He said the airline was trying to keep customer costs down by focusing on areas such as "the insatiable appetite of some airports as well as internal costs".

"We truly regret that we have been compelled to introduce this surcharge for the first time but the oil markets are obviously beyond anyone's influence," Mr Godfrey said.

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World crude oil prices hit a 13-year high this week, rising above $US40 ($A58) a barrel, as a result of continued instability in the Middle East.

From next Tuesday, Qantas will apply a surcharge on tickets of $6 per sector for Qantas Domestic, QantasLink, Jetstar and domestic New Zealand services and $15 per sector for Qantas International services and Australian Airlines.

Australia's biggest independent regional airline, Regional Express, has also announced it will add a surcharge to fares next week because of the rise in oil prices.

The company said in a statement yesterday that from Monday it would add a fuel surcharge of $5 per sector, with "the exception of Rex's lowest internet tickets".

Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon said on Tuesday that jet fuel prices were almost 60 per cent higher now than they were 12 months ago.

British Airways and Air New Zealand also announced fuel surcharges this week.

From next week, Air New Zealand passengers will pay $15 more for trans-Tasman flights, while passengers on long-haul trips will pay $17 more per sector.

British Airways has announced a $13 increase on return flights purchased in the UK.